Advocates are pressing Albany and Buffalo officials to expand ranked choice voting and allow more independent voters to participate in local elections, according to Spectrum News.
Supporters say the proposed changes would give unaffiliated voters a greater voice and let voters rank candidates by preference.
Albany advocates submitted 3,200 signatures seeking a November ballot initiative, while Buffalo reform groups promoted ranked choice voting, semi-open primaries and easier ballot access.
Officials in both cities declined to advance the proposals, while the Working Families Party warned that open primaries could weaken political parties and organized community groups.
Ranked choice voting is already used in some New York City elections and was adopted in Newburgh following a voting-rights lawsuit.
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